January 19th, 2024 at 8:30 am 
by Ron Cervenka On Thursday evening, MLB.com released their Top-10 lists for each defensive position heading into the 2024 season. As a surprise to no one (at least it shouldn’t have been), Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman finished in the number one spot – again.
It is the fourth time in the past five seasons that the Villa Park, CA native and second round draft pick in 2007 by the Atlanta Braves out of El Modena High School in Orange, CA has topped MLB.com’s list of first baseman, finishing ahead of several exceptional fellow first baseman, including Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, Atlanta’s Matt Olson, and St. Louis’ Paul Goldschmidt.
Freeman committed only one error in 1,131 total chances in the 161 games (all starts) in which he played during the 2023 regular season for a remarkable .999 fielding percentage. By comparison, Goldschmidt finished the regular season with a .998 FPCT (two errors in 1,165 total chances), Harper at .996 (one error in 279 total chances), and Olson at .994 (eight errors in 2,998 total chances).
(Amie Cuevas)
Although offensive numbers aren’t considered in MLB.com’s ‘Top 10 Right Now,’ Freeman slashed an alien-like .331/.410/.567/.976 with 29 home runs, 102 RBI, and an MLB-best 59 doubles in 2023, while Goldie slashed .268/.363/.447/.830 with 25 home runs and 115 RBI, Harper .293/.401/.499/.900 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI, and Olson .283/.389/.604/.993 with a MLB-best 54 home runs and MLB-best 139 RBI.
Also of little surprise, Dodgers right-fielder/second baseman Mookie Betts topped MLB.com’s ‘Top 10 Right Now for second baseman heading into the 2024 season, although the popular future Hall of Famer appeared in only 16 games as the Dodgers second baseman in 2023. Betts committed two errors in 225 total chances for an impressive .991 FPCT in 2023.
As Dodgers fans know, the popular Nashville, TN native was initially drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round in 2011 out of Overton High School in Nashville as a second baseman.
Play Ball!
* * * * * *
Posted in 
Wow! Mookie slid all the way into the 5th round?! Amazing. Just imagine all the likely “busts” that came before him that year. GO DODGERS!!!
Being drafted out of high school probably had a lot to do with that fifth-round thing. What’s even more amazing is being drafted out of high school, regardless of the round, and becoming one of the best players to ever play the game speaks volumes about the Red Sox scouting department.
I only hope that Dodgers fans realize how incredibly lucky we are to witness Mookie’s (and Freddie’s) greatness firsthand.
Jesse is having computer issues but sent me this reply to your reply:
Freeman and Betts are terrific all around players, deserving of every accolade. But there are some players on these lists who do not belong if this. is defense only. At best, Yandy Diaz, Vlad Guerrero are marginal defensive first basemen — ahead of Dbacks Christian Walker should be embarrassing to whoever put this list together. Same for Arraez at second base — ahead of Nico Hoerner is ridiculous.
Great Article